Steve Coogan has slowly made a name for himself in the U.S., primarily with small roles in movies like Tropic Thunder and The Other Guys. Anyone who’s seen him in The Trip knows he’s a talented comedic actor with a flair for impersonations, but his fellow Brits know him more for his unsavory talk show host, Alan Partridge, star of I’m Alan Partridge. Now, after three TV stints, two radio shows, a book, and a web series, Partridge is finally making the leap to the big screen.
According to THR, Coogan and BBC Films confirmed production on the highly-anticipated Alan Partridge feature film, which will begin this fall; it was also announced that television director Declan Lowney (Little Britain, Father Ted) will helm the project. The choice makes sense, since Lowney has directed Coogan twice before, in the TV movie Cruise Of The Gods and the short Paul and Pauline Calf’s Cheese and Ham Sandwich.
The screenplay is more than covered. Along with Coogan, other writers will include Peter Baynham (Borat), Armando Iannucci (Into The Loop, Veep), and Rob & Neil Gibbons. Coogan was even nice enough to spill some of the story details earlier this year, revealing that the plot will involve Partridge becoming “an unwilling participant” during “a large event in a small town.”
Okay, so that’s still pretty vague, but what do you even want for now? If you’re a fan of Coogan, just be glad that the film is finally happening and expected to open in 2013.
Are you looking forward to an Alan Partridge movie? Do you think the character is still relevant?